F1 must find a post-Alonso pantomime villain

Fernando Alonso is an outspoken driver and prepared to grab the headlines at every opportunity. But as he is set to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2018, the championship needs to find a new star with box office pulling power

Getting used to a Fernando Alonso-free Formula 1 will be a difficult task, but the truly unenviable one is working out how the championship will fill the void he will leave.

It may well prove to be an impossible challenge. Through his titles and his tantrums, his wrong choices and his wretched luck, his underdog heroics and his unquestionable ability, Alonso has morphed into a truly unique driver.